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Believe in U.S.: Jessie Diggins

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USSA

2013-12-30 11:06

“Belief is just knowing somewhere in the back of your mind, even if you don’t really admit it to yourself, that you can do it, that you have what it takes.” – World Champion Jessie Diggins. Here are Diggins and Kikkan Randall with their World Champs medals. (Sarah Brunson/U.S. Ski Team)

“Belief is just knowing somewhere in the back of your mind, even if you don’t really admit it to yourself, that you can do it, that you have what it takes.” – World Champion Jessie Diggins. Believe in U.S. is the rallying cry of the U.S. Ski Team going into the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. Athletes like Jessie Diggins ride on the wings of belief of family, friends and the American public.

Believe in U.S.: Jessie Diggins

The gold medal Jessie Diggins won with teammate Kikkan Randall at the 2013 Nordic World Championship in Val di Fiemme, Italy is physical proof that she believes in both herself as well as the larger efforts of the U.S. Ski Team. In her years of training and competition, strong team bonds have forged her racing philosophy. Now at the pinnacle of her sport, it’s easy for Diggins to attribute recent success to the Team.

“Cross country skiing is very much a team effort and it takes a lot of people working together to make any progress. You need coaches, wax techs, teammates and supporters. But you also need all these people to be fully committed to each other and the Team.”

But for Diggins, it’s more than just being grateful for the efforts of others. It’s allowing that support to become an integral part of her life. Having an entire team and crew pour their hearts and souls into their work is proof of their belief in a greater cause, which helps propel Diggins forward when the going gets tough.

“Knowing that the people you care about also believe in you is extremely important because there are going to be challenges. There are going to be tough times.”

At no other time was her belief more evident than during her push for her World Championships gold. Diggins lost a pole during the final hill, but she kept charging because she knew that when she tagged Kikkan, Kikkan would seal the team victory. That belief paid off in gold.

To Diggins, the team isn’t just the other athletes, techs or U.S. Ski Team staff. It encompasses family, friends and former teammates, and even includes fans cheering her on through social media.

“To know that there are people in the States who believe in us and think we’re going to go out and do well at the Olympics, it fuels you and gets you inspired when maybe there’s something else standing in your way.”

If you Believe in U.S. and would like to be a part of Jessie Diggins and her Team’s quest for gold, please click here to make a pledge to the U.S. Ski Team through the Team’s Medals Madness.